Clockwise from top left, Hartlepool celebrate promotion in 2007, Brian Clough becomes manager in 1965, a match ticket from the FA Cup clash with Manchester United in 1957 and Eifion Williams gives Pools the lead in the 2005 play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.Clockwise from top left, Hartlepool celebrate promotion in 2007, Brian Clough becomes manager in 1965, a match ticket from the FA Cup clash with Manchester United in 1957 and Eifion Williams gives Pools the lead in the 2005 play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
Clockwise from top left, Hartlepool celebrate promotion in 2007, Brian Clough becomes manager in 1965, a match ticket from the FA Cup clash with Manchester United in 1957 and Eifion Williams gives Pools the lead in the 2005 play-off final at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

In pictures: The history of Hartlepool United following club's relegation to the National League

Hartlepool United are attempting to battle back to the Football League following their relegation from League Two at the end of last season.
By Gavin Ledwith
Published 29th Apr 2023, 17:29 BST
Updated 7th Oct 2023, 11:15 BST

Here we look back at significant milestones in the club’s 115-year history.

Formed in 1908, Hartlepools United were elected to the Football League in 1921 and competed in the Third Division North until Division Four was created in 1958. In 1957, pictured, they narrowly lost 4-3 to Manchester United's Busby Babes in the third round of the FA Cup before a record 17,246 crowd at the Victoria Ground.

1. Early years

Formed in 1908, Hartlepools United were elected to the Football League in 1921 and competed in the Third Division North until Division Four was created in 1958. In 1957, pictured, they narrowly lost 4-3 to Manchester United's Busby Babes in the third round of the FA Cup before a record 17,246 crowd at the Victoria Ground. Photo: DP

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Repeatedly struggling at the bottom of the new Division Four, Pools gave a young Brian Clough his first job in management in 1965. He largely built the club's 1968 promotion side before winning the Division One title with both Derby County and Nottingham Forest as well as two European Cup finals with Forest.

2. The life of Brian

Repeatedly struggling at the bottom of the new Division Four, Pools gave a young Brian Clough his first job in management in 1965. He largely built the club's 1968 promotion side before winning the Division One title with both Derby County and Nottingham Forest as well as two European Cup finals with Forest. Photo: nop supplied

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With Cough leaving for Derby County in 1967, it was replacement Gus McLean who piloted the club to their first promotion in 1968 after a 2-0 win at Swansea Town. A swift return to Division Four alas followed just 12 months later

3. Promotion party

With Cough leaving for Derby County in 1967, it was replacement Gus McLean who piloted the club to their first promotion in 1968 after a 2-0 win at Swansea Town. A swift return to Division Four alas followed just 12 months later Photo: Other 3rd Party

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By now Hartlepool United, John Bird's Division Four side walloped a Manchester United squad team 6-0 in a 1988 pre-season friendly at the Vic. Alex Ferguson's team included international stars Paul McGrath, Vic Anderson and Norman Whiteside. Kevin Dixon scored a hat-trick past future Pools boss Chris Turner.

4. Six of the best

By now Hartlepool United, John Bird's Division Four side walloped a Manchester United squad team 6-0 in a 1988 pre-season friendly at the Vic. Alex Ferguson's team included international stars Paul McGrath, Vic Anderson and Norman Whiteside. Kevin Dixon scored a hat-trick past future Pools boss Chris Turner. Photo: FR

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